Control assembly for coin or token operated vending machines



E. E. YORK May 19, 1953 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATEDVENDING MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1950 E. E. YORK May 19,1953 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR com OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES 'F'iledMay 18, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 May 19, 1953 E. E. YORK 2,639,016

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACHINES Filed May18, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'j-lttovaqy Patented May 19, 1953 CONTROLASSEMBLY FOR COIN OR TOKEN OPERATED VENDING MACIHNES Ernest E. York,Falmouth Corner, Maine, assignor to American Coin Changer Corp., Boston,Mass, a corporation of Maine Application May 18, 1950, Serial No.162,745

3 Claims.

My invention relates to a control assembly especially adapted for use incoin or token operated vending machines. In its most particular aspectthe invention concerns a switch assembly for vending machines which arecapable of making change, e. g., a machine utilized in the dispensing ofa -cent article which is operable by a or 25-cent piece as well as by a5-cent piece and which when operated with one of the coins of higherdenomination delivers with the merchandise one or four 5-cent pieces, asthe case may be.

Machines of the class indicated conventionally include a control switchfor each value of coin to be handled, each switch being biased in openposition by yieldable means, as a spring, for ex ample, and beingmomentarily closable through a coin actuable switch arm extending into acoin track through which coins of the denomination corresponding to theswitch are directed. These machines further include a verticallydisposed tubular coin magazine superposed over a plurality of slides,each of the slides being of predetermined thickness and having acircular aperture therein of a diameter corresponding to the diameter ofthe denomination of coin which the magazine is adapted to receive, theaperture in the normal position of the slide registering with theaperture in the other slide or slides and with the chamber of themagazine. The slides are movable over a base plate having a coinaperture which opens to a coin delivery chute and which stands in ofisetrelation with respect to the apertures in the slides in the normalposition of the slides. In machines of the type referred to above by wayof example the magazine, as indicated, is charged with 5-cent pieces andthere are two such slides; one having a thickness approximating that ofa single 5-cent piece, the other a thickness approximating that of three5-cent pieces. When a 10-cent piece is used to operate the machine. thethinner slide, which lies below the thicker slide, is caused to beactuated to drop a single 5- cent piece through the aperture in the baseplate into the change delivery chute. On the other hand, when a 25-centpiece is used, both slides are actuated to drop four 5-cent pieces.

The electrical system in such machines as conventionally assembledcomprises a relay in circuit with each of the switches corresponding tothe coins having values exceeding the price of the merchandise. Thus, inthe machine comprising the slides just described there are two suchrelays, a 10-cent relay and a ZS-cent relay. On the momentary closing ofthe 10-cent switch,

the IO-cent relay is energized and remains energized until tripped bydelivery of the merchandise. The closing of the relay completes thevending circuit and also a circuit including a solenoid controlling the10-cent slide. Similarly, closing of the 25-cent switch energizes the25- cent relay, resulting in completion of the vending circuit andactuation of a second solenoid connected to move both of the changerslides. In some cases, to assure more positive slide action, thearrangement is slightly modified so that in quarter operation bothsolenoids are actuated.

My invention has as its principal object to eliminate theabove-mentioned relays, thereby to materially reduce equipment costs. Iaccomplish this and other objects, which will become apparent from thedescription which follows, by duplicating the function of the relaysmechanically in the switch assembly.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric front view of a switch assembly embodying theinvention;

Fig. 2 is an isometric back view of the assembly; and

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a typical circuit arrangement, including theassembly.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the switches included in the assemblyare confined within individual switch boxes I0, I2 and [4. Theseswitches are of the conventional springor weight-loaded type. Fixed tothe switch boxes is a coin track unit l6 providing coin tracks I8, 20and 22, track l8 being the 5-cent track, tracks 20 and 22 being the dimeand quarter tracks, respectively. Apertures 24 and studs 26 (Fig. 2)find their complements in a support piece, not shown, on which theassembly is mounted in use.

A wire switch arm 28 extends from the 5-cent switch through an arcuateslot 30 into the track l8, terminating at a point within a secondarcuate slot 32 cut in the partition 34. Switch arm 36, which controlsthe 10-cent switch, is shown as formed of two lengths of wire joined at38. The portion including the hook 40 overlying the 5-cent switch arm 28extends rearwardly through all of the coin tracks to terminate at apoint external of the coin track unit. Upward arcuate movement of theswitch arm 36 in the slots 42, 44 and 46 is limited by the shoulder 4|in the latter slot.

The 25-cent switch arm 48 (Fig. 2) includes a portion 50 overlying theswitch arm 36 in position to depress such arm when the-arm 48 isdepressed and a portion 52 which terminates just short of the partition54.

With the arrangement as described, it will be readily understood thatwhen a -cent coin is introduced into the track l8 it forces the arm 28 5downwardly to close the 5-cent switch; also, that as soon as the coin;loses contactiwiththearm the switch opens by virtue of its spring orweight loading, this action being accompanied by return of the switcharm to its normal position; 1

Due to the hook 40, the depressionoiihearml 36 by a 10-cent pieceintroduced.intoftliefitracia results not only in closing of the 10-centswitch but also in depression of tIIGQd'IHzlBKflIIfl.8105111575.

4B is not affected on lO-cent operation since it overlies the arm 36. Onquarter: operation, i. e. when a -cent piece is introduced into thetrack 22, all three of the arms are carried downwardly, to close allthree of the switches, arm 48 being 20 e esse i ect y y, he o n 31 H: (iv by he arm 48 and arm .Ztq'rrst as inlO-bent operation y t eho krmi Thereason; for the above arrangement will be etter. ppr c ated; throu h fncertaris, 3 25 which represents partoi the innerworkings'oi a di e-lnach i o wh c he asse bl spp. tab e v n: such fi ur theumeralfifi-,denote-s wo f-n h n er o ypehereinbefo ee er lly es ribedhe;hanee nc1 s paircrapertured slides 58, 5!! which are, movable. totheleft h a guidaway,-notshown, oyeran, apertured base plate 60. Slide 58,which has a thickness cor-re.- sponding, to; that of three, of. theill-:08! coins 6 I igactuated-by a,-solenoid 62, the armatur of hich.is, l nk lz othe. lide imian. s i in is underthe controlofwasecondsolenoid fi l. The thickness of this @slide corresponds tothat of ne l the wines Ohe of the contactsiorming part of :the, 5,-cent4O switch 65 is connectedto-a common-powerlead 66, while its companioncontact isconnectedyia conductor 68 to, one terminal ofthe winding of avholding relay-Hi, the opposite terminal of which is connected to thesecond power lead 12 throng-ha conductor 14., In,the.cas e of; theparticulan machine contemplated by 3 the diagram, closing-of relay :19.results in. energization ,ofthe vending circuit, not shown, Thiscircuit. remains energized untiLthe, relay is trippedby -deliy,ery ofthe merchandisa,

The ill-cent circuit; includes :the switch 15,. the powerlead,t6,,.,the1conductor l6, extendingtothe winding of thesolenoidB4,,and theiconductor J8 through, which such winding is connected to,the power ie-ad '52,, while the circuit including the zii-centswitchBl). comprises powerleadfih, the winding of thesolenoid iiiiandconductors 84 and it.

Considering Figs, 1 and 2 in.conjunction, with Fig. 3 it should be clearthat inthe opfiration of thev machine represented -by the latter figure,the circuit including theirelay 70,-, whichcontrols the vending circuit,is energizedregardless of the denomination of, the, coin, employed. It.should be i equally ,clear that in lO-cent operation only the lower;slide ,59, is actuated, whereas in $25 cent, operation both 4 slidesare, ,moved over, the base plate so ,that the, apertures thereinregister with gthfi aperture, in -the platel- The slides-,may 70 esonsid nediaslr turn d S r t n: e

The various advantages and objects; otiithe invent o may;beaccomplished,byrmodincati s fpithesparticularn mbodime, cdescibedrherein,

d i dsiinten edth hthe annendedsclaims shall...

4 include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming within their scope.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a switch assembly for a coin or token operated vending machine orthe" like, three switches spring biased in open position, an equalnumber of coin tracks, each adapted for the reception of coins of aparticular value, the track into..which the coins of intermediate valueare introduced. being positioned mediate the other two tracks, a firstcoin actuable switch arm extending. fromwone-of; said switches into thecoin traclo adapted for the reception of the coins of lowest -'value-, asecond coin actuable switch arm extendingifrom another of said switchesinto the coin track adapted for the reception of the eoins of-highestvalue, and a third coin actuable switch arm extending from the remainingswitch into the. coin track adapted fontherecept-ion of the-coins ofintermediate value," said third men tioned switch arm having a hookextension'overe lying said first mentioned switch armata point externalof said: tracks and a portion extending through the coin track receivingthe coinsof highest value to 1111(191116'531'6138800116. mentionedswitch arm external of the cointracks; whereby saidfirst mentioned.switch arm is actuatedsimub taneously with said thirdxmentionedz switcharm whenever the latter is actuated and the actuaition of said secondmentioned switch arinvresults in simultaneous, actuation of said otherswitch arms.

2. In a control assembly fora coin or tokenioperated vending machineorthe'lilce havingan article-delivering mechanism, a single relay actuating, said mechanism, three coin tracks, each adapted fortherecepticn of :coins ofwa particu larv value, a switch biased in: openpositiondn-th'e circuit withv said relay, a firstcoinactuable' switcharm extending from said switch into-the coin track adapted TOI thGreception of the coins of lowest value, a second switch' biasedin openposition havinga coin actuableswitcharm extending-therefrom into thecoin track adapted fo'rthe reception of the coins of highest-value,and-a third switch biased in open position havinga coin actuable switcharm extending into the coin track adapted for the reception of tliecoins-of intermediate value, said third mentioned switch arm overlyingsaid first mentioned switch arm and underlying said secondmentionedswitch arm-so that said second-mentioned switch arm is-actuatedonly by a coin passing-through its corresponding track; saidthird-mentioned switch arm is actuated bothbyacoin passing through itscorresponding track and by actuation of said second-mentioned switcharm; and' said firstmentioned switch arm is actuated bothby a coinpassing through its correspondingytrack and by actuation-oi saidthirdmentioned switch arm-n 3."In a switch'assembly for a coin or tokenoperated vendingmachine or the like, a single relay actuating .saidmachine, three, coin tracks, each adapted for the receptionof coinsof aparticular value, the track for receptionof-coi-ns of intermediatevalueubeing positioned between :the othertwo tracks, a switch biasedin-open position in. .thecircuit with said relayy a first-coinactuableswitch arm extendingqfrom said-switch into the coin'track adapted .forthe'reception of 131181001115 pit-lowest ,value a second:switch-1biased'riniopen position having a coin actuable switch armextending therefrom into the coin track adapted for the reception of thecoins of highest value, and a third switch biased in open positionhaving a coin actuable switch arm extending into the coin track adaptedfor the reception of the coins of intermediate value, said thirdmentioned switch arm having a hook extension overlying said firstmentioned switch arm at a point external of said tracks and a portionextending through the coin track receiving the coins of highest value tounderlie said second mentioned switch arm external of the coin tracks,whereby said first mentioned switch arm is actuated simultaneously withsaid third mentioned switch arm whenever the latter is actuated and theactuation of said second mentioned switch arm results in simultaneousactuation of said other switch arms.

ERNEST E. YORK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number5 1,461,143 2,323,981 2,250,051 2,251,073 2,472,519 10 2,585,718

Number 15 281,427 698,694

Name Date Guerin July 10, 1923 Du Grenier July 13, 1943 Patzer July 22,1941 Shaun July 29, 1941 Carlsen June 7, 1949 Adams Feb. 12, 1952FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Jan. 6, 1915 Germany Nov. 15, 1940

